Theory of religious markets and secularism: An analysis on Muslim-majority countries

Abstract

Theory of religious markets is a field of study that employs the rational choice methodology to examine the effects of religious policies and regulations on religious beliefs and organizations. Theory of religious markets attributes the secularization trend in Western societies not to modernization but rather to the monopolization of religion and the eradication of competitive religious markets. In contrast to contemporary secularism theory, which excluded political analysis from sociology of religion, the theory of religious markets has reintroduced political analysis into sociology of religion and sparked a fruitful academic debate. By employing a supply-side approach instead of a demand-side approach, theory of religious markets has reintroduced secularization to the forefront of political science's principal topics. Specifically, it has reconnected it with the evolution of the impartial government and the notion of religious pluralism. This paper investigates how the debate between these two theories can contribute to the policies necessary for the institutionalization of pluralistic and liberal politics in Muslim-majority countries today. Due to its rational choice approach, the theory of religious markets makes significant contributions to the study of liberalization issues in Muslim-majority countries in the context of freedom of religion and conscience, apart from theological debates.